Do Stem Cells Have Potential for Mental Health?

Stem cell therapy is currently at the forefront of regenerative medicine, offering potential solutions for concerns that traditional treatments have failed to remedy. Stem cells are unique due to their ability to turn into various types of cells in the body. Researchers have explored their potential to treat a wide range of conditions, ranging from orthopedic injuries to neurodegenerative diseases.

One of the newest areas of stem cell research has been their potential ability to be used to improve different mental health conditions, including anxiety disorders, bipolar disorders, and major depressive disorder. As clinical trials and research studies remain ongoing, there are no available treatments yet. In this article, we will delve into what we know so far!

Dr. John C. Haasis III is the medical director and founder of Daisy Stem Cell Therapy and Advanced Regenerative Medicine Center of the Carolinas. Dr. Haasis is a board-certified and fellowship-trained pain management anesthesiologist. He has over 25 years of experience and has made it his personal mission to help each of his patients manage their pain and help restore the quality of their lives.

If you are ready to learn more about how stem cell therapy can benefit you, we invite you to schedule a personal consultation online or call (864) 775-5682.

We offer consultations at each of our offices:

  • Greenville, SC
  • Spartanburg, SC
  • Columbia, SC
  • Anderson, SC
  • Asheville, NC

About Stem Cells

Stem cells are a specialized type of cell found within the body that can transform into other types of cells. Stem cells are characterized by two qualities: the capacity for unlimited self-renewal and the ability to undergo cell differentiation to become a different cell type with a distinct, separate function. (1) Stem cells are primarily used for tissue repair and regenerative medicine, and can be administered through injection, surgery, or intravenous (IV) infusion.

About Mental Health

Mental health is a broad term that describes the state of our mind and how we process and act upon our everyday thoughts and emotions. This concept involves understanding how our thoughts and feelings affect our quality of life and is essential for leading a fulfilling life.

Many people live their lives with a mental health disorder or mental illness. These are conditions that can affect the way you think or behave, and can even influence your ability to function normally. While there are many different mental health conditions, some of the most common include anxiety disorder, bipolar disorder, and major depressive disorder.

  • Anxiety Disorders: Anxiety is a fear-based mental health condition that causes patients to worry about events that may or may not happen in the future. Anxiety disorders can affect one’s thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, but may also manifest physical symptoms. (2)
  • Bipolar Disorder: Bipolar disorder is a mental health disorder that is characterized by chronically occurring and alternating episodes of mania and depression. Several types of BD can manifest and stem from a combination of genetic, neurochemical, and environmental factors. (3) This condition may also develop later in life due to stressful life events, but there are still ongoing studies to confirm this.
  • Major Depressive Disorder: Major depressive disorder (MDD) is one of the most common mental disorders in the United States. This mental condition is diagnosed when a patient has a persistently low mood, feelings of guilt or worthlessness, lack of energy, sleep disturbances, a lack of interest in activities or environmental stimuli, and more. MDD is highly prevalent and has an average lifetime prevalence of 12%, with this rate being almost doubled in women when compared to men. (4)

Types of Stem Cells Used in Research

While multiple types of stem cells can be found within the body, only multipotent stem cells and pluripotent stem cells are being used in mental health research.

Multipotent Stem Cells

Multipotent stem cells can develop into a set range of specific cells that play certain biological functions. Also known as progenitor cells, these stem cells are primarily found in bone marrow. Three specific types of multipotent stem cells being researched for their mental health benefits include:

  • Hematopoietic Stem Cells: Hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) are a type of multipotent stem cell that can turn into red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. These cells are often found within the bone marrow, and approximately one trillion cells are generated daily to compensate for apoptotic cells in the bone marrow. (5) HSCs are often used in research and have shown promising results in stem cell transplantation and psychiatric disorders.
  • Mesenchymal Stem Cells: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are used for tissue restructuring and engineering in a wide range of applications. These cells can be found in a variety of tissues, including the umbilical cord, menstrual blood, endometrial polyps, and more.
  • Neural Progenitor Cells: Neural progenitor cells (NPCs) are multipotent neural stem cells that can turn into neurons and glial cells. Glial cells are a type of non-neural cell found within the central nervous system that provides support to the neurons. These cells can be found in the postnatal and adult brain, with embryonic NPCs having a greater potential for differentiation in comparison to adult NPCs. (6) These cells have been used to help research cell-based neural repair, and are also widely used to screen novel medications. (7)

Pluripotent Stem Cells

Pluripotent stem cells are cells that can differentiate into any other type of cell in the body, excluding support tissues or placenta cells. Pluripotent cells are derived from early-stage embryos, specifically when a blastocyst is formed after the egg and sperm fuse. Pluripotent stem cells have been at the forefront of clinical research due to the ability of researchers to induce adult skin and blood cells to become pluripotent. These cells are called induced pluripotent cells (iPSCs), and allow them to become an unlimited source of any type of human cell needed for research or therapeutic purposes.

Stem Cells for Anxiety Disorders

Anxiety disorders are one of the most common groups of mental disorders and consist of excessive fear or avoidance of perceived threats. Anxiety disorders can be influenced by genetic factors or environmental factors, and generally develop before or at the beginning of early adulthood. (8)

Stem cells for anxiety disorders have been studied in animal models, specifically mice. It was found that infusing human mesenchymal stem cells significantly reduced anxiety-like behaviors in stressed mice. The treated mice showed lower amounts of immune cells in higher-stress areas of the brain, such as the prefrontal cortex and amygdala. Additionally, the infusion of stem cells also increased activity in serotonin-producing areas of the brain, improving the overall mood of the mice. (9) The combination of suppressed neuroinflammation and improved serotonin signaling shows promise in enhancing treatment outcomes for anxiety disorders, but more studies need to be conducted before any definite conclusions may be drawn.

Stem Cells for Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition that is characterized by alternating episodes of manic and major depressive states. This condition often develops during adolescence and is one of the top 10 leading causes of disability worldwide. (3) This condition is often treated with mood-stabilizing or antipsychotic medications, but many patients do not successfully respond to these treatments.

Studies have been, and are currently, researching the use of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) to improve treatments for bipolar disorder, as well as learn more about the root cause of the condition itself.

One of these clinical studies has taken cells from patients with bipolar disorder and used them to create organoids, or small 3-D brain-like structures. Lithium, the main medication prescribed to patients with bipolar disorder, is then applied to the organoids to test their response. It was found that the cells responded similarly to lithium in the patients from whom they were taken. Cells taken from patients who did not respond well to lithium did not see many changes, while the cells taken from patients with positive responses showed positive changes in structure, function, and gene expression. (10) This study showed promising results on how stem cells could be used to increase the patient response rate for lithium, as well as the potential to test for reactions to certain medications before they are prescribed to the patients themselves.

Stem Cells for Major Depressive Disorder

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a psychiatric condition that consists of persistent sadness, low self-esteem, and a loss of interest in external stimuli. This disorder has the highest prevalence in Western countries, and can stem from a combination of genetic, environmental, and neurobiological factors. Medications are the first line of treatment for MDD, but approximately 30% of patients are resistant to treatment, forcing researchers to develop new forms of treatment for this condition. (9, 10)

Stem cell therapy has shown great promise for providing a new treatment for MDD, but it is still being researched on animals before it can be tested on humans. There have been studies conducted on mice using umbilical cord-derived stem cells and adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells to improve depression-like behaviors. These effects have been thought to be due to the anti-inflammatory properties of the cells, as well as their ability to regulate the immune system. It is also thought that stem cells may enhance the growth and repair of brain cells and tissue, as well as protect them from damage.

In humans, a pilot study was conducted where 16 women with treatment-resistant depression were injected weekly with umbilical cord stem cells. After four weekly injections, it was shown that there was an improvement in cognitive function, and other treatments became more effective. (10)

These findings show that stem cells have highly promising effects when combined with other treatments for MDD. However, more research is required to learn how stem cells can be used best, whether it is through implantation, infusion, or another untested route.

Future Potential of Stem Cells for Mental Health

As more and more people seek new treatments for their mental health struggles, stem cell research offers new hope and potential for safe and effective treatments that can help restore the health and function of the brain. Several different types of stem cells have shown positive benefits when implanted and infused into the brain; however, researchers still have many questions to investigate. Numerous ongoing preclinical trials show great promise for the future use of stem cells in applications we have yet to see. For now, stem cells for mental health remain investigational, but could become a reality within the next decade as more research is done to truly understand how to use stem cells to their fullest potential.

Cost of Stem Cell Treatments in South Carolina

The cost of each stem cell treatment can vary, as each treatment plan is tailored according to your unique needs and goals. Several factors are considered when determining the pricing of your treatment, such as the type of stem cells used, the conditions being treated, and the extent of correction. Dr. Haasis will discuss the cost of your personalized stem cell treatment with you during your consultation, after he has learned more about your health history and concerns.

To learn more about the cost of your tailored stem cell treatment, please schedule a personal consultation online or call (864) 775-5682.

References

  1. Stem cell approaches in psychiatry–challenges and opportunities. Personalized Medicine: Prediction, Prevention, Participation. 2009;11(4):397-404. doi:https://doi.org/10.31887/dcns.2009.11.4/jbenninghoff
  2. Panchision DM. Meeting Report: Using Stem Cells for Biological and Therapeutics Discovery in Mental Illness, April 2012. STEM CELLS Translational Medicine. 2013;2(3):217-222. doi:https://doi.org/10.5966/sctm.2012-0149
  3. Jain A, Mitra P. Bipolar Disorder. PubMed. Published February 20, 2023. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK558998/
  4. Chand SP, Marwaha R. Anxiety. National Library of Medicine. Published 2023. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470361/
  5. Bains N, Abdijadid S. Major depressive disorder. PubMed. Published 2023. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK559078/
  6. Makrygianni EA, Chrousos GP. Neural Progenitor Cells and the Hypothalamus. Cells. 2023;12(14):1822-1822. doi:https://doi.org/10.3390/cells12141822
  7. Lee JY, Hong SH. Hematopoietic Stem Cells and Their Roles in Tissue Regeneration. International Journal of Stem Cells. 2019;13(1). doi:https://doi.org/10.15283/ijsc19127
  8. Walker T, Huang J, Young K. Neural Stem and Progenitor Cells in Nervous System Function and Therapy. Stem Cells International. 2016;2016:1-2. doi:https://doi.org/10.1155/2016/1890568
  9. Penninx BWJH, Pine DS, Holmes EA, Reif A. Anxiety disorders. The Lancet. 2021;397(10277):914-927. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/s0140-6736(21)00359-7
  10. Huang J, Huang W, Yi J, et al. Mesenchymal stromal cells alleviate depressive and anxiety-like behaviors via a lung vagal-to-brain axis in male mice. Nature Communications. 2023;14(1). doi:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-023-43150-0
  11. Villanueva R. Stem cell therapy for the treatment of psychiatric disorders: a real hope for the next decades. Frontiers in Psychiatry. 2025;15. doi:https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1492415
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